Native tree of the month: Bitaog Calophyllum Inophyllum (Bl.)

Physical Characteristics

Bitaog is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 25 meters tall, sometimes as large as 35 meters. It has sticky latex that is clear or opaque and white, cream, or yellow. The bole is usually twisted or leaning up to 150 centimeters in diameter, without buttresses. 

Outer bark often is characterized with diamond to boat-shaped fissures, becoming confluent with age, smooth, often with a yellowish or ochre tint. The inner bark is usually thick, soft, firm, fibrous, and laminated. It goes from pink to red, darkening to brownish on exposure to the sun.

Crown is evenly conical to narrowly hemispherical. The twigs are four-angled and rounded, with plump terminal buds that are four to nine millimeters long.

The leaves are elliptical, thick, smooth, and polished. They are also ovate, obovate or oblong, about eight to 20 centimeters long.

Inflorescence is axillary, racemose, usually unbranched, but occasionally with three-flowered branches, and five to 15 flowers. Flowers are usually bisexual but sometimes functionally unisexual, sweetly scented, with a perianth of eight petals in several whorls. They are usually white in color. They have four petals while the stamens are numerous, yellow, grouped in four bundles, with anthers changing from deep yellow to brown. Only the hermaphroditic flower has an ovary, a bright pink ball that is left at the end of the stem when the petals drop.

The fruit of a bitaog is a spherical to ovoid drupe, 25-50 millimeters long. It has a thin, compact outer layer, is grayish-green in color and smooth-skinned. The seeds have large cotyledons and radicle points to the base of the fruit.

Locations

Bitaog is found throughout the Philippines, along the seashores where it forms a characteristic strand. Natural regeneration usually occurs near the mother tree. Bitaog is now rare in Central Visayas. There are only 10 mature trees in Siquijor. In Cebu, bitaog is found in Boljoon Municipal Hall and a few trees are in the Osmeña Reforestation Project, Camp 7, Minglanilla, Cebu.

Method of Propagation

The tree can be propagated both by seeds and wildlings. The wildlings have high survival rate. The thick shell of the fruit delays the germination of the seeds. However, this can be solved by sowing the seeds soon after ripening. Collect the seeds from the tree either by picking individual fruits, looping off the branches with pruning poles, or collecting them from the ground. Extract the pulp manually. Air dries the seeds. Do not dry under the sun. Store seeds at an MC of 20 percent and above in a refrigerator or in a tight container. Bitaog seed count is 78 seeds/liter. Wildlings are uprooted by breaking the soil with a spade after heavy rain. Uprooted wildlings are then packed in newspaper and used clothing before placing them in a folded banana leaf/sheath.

Traditional uses

Bitaog’s kernel contains 70-75 percent bitaog oil. Externally, it is used for indigestion and colic as well as for rheumatism. The action is analgesic while intramuscular injection of the refined oil has been used to reduce pain in leprosy. Oil extracted from the fruit is employed as a remedy for rheumatism, ulcers, and skin diseases.

Boiled bark and latex are used internally against diarrhea, externally against skin and eye diseases, rheumatism, and bath after childbirth.

Leaves, flowers and seeds are sometimes also used in local medicine.

The seed is a source of bitaog oil or tamanu oil, the sacred oil of ancient Tahitians. The oil is a potent healing agent that promotes the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and growth of healthy skin, a process known as cicatrisation. Bitaog oil is one of the most effective and known cicatrizing agents in nature. The oil with its unusual absorption and mild and pleasant aroma makes it ideal for use in lotions, creams and other cosmetic products.

It is also a traditional topical aid where the oil is applied to cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites and stings, abrasions, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, herpes sores, athletes foot, foot and body odor and hair loss. The oil when massaged into the skin relieves neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains and sciatica. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The ethyl ether of the oil is used as an intramuscular injection to relieve pain and symptom of leprosy. It also combats head lice and eliminates dandruff.

Contemporary uses

Bitaog is cultivated in Manila as a shade tree on lawns and beside avenues and boulevards, particularly along the beach.

The fragrant flowers are used in making bouquets and wreaths. They are also put in the hairs of Filipino women.

The thin, rounded shells of the seeds are used as containers for “buri sugar”, which is sold as confection.

The oil is also used as an illuminant, and for making soap, and may be used as varnish.

The bark may be suitable for direct use in the tannery. Bark is used to dye fishnets.

The fruit is edible. It is usually pickled but care must be taken with it as it contains toxins.

The timber is generally slightly heavier, stronger, and more durable than that other Calophyllum species. This is a good general-purpose timber. In several regions, the wood is much sought after for masts, spars, bridgework, and scaffolding because of the tall, slender form of the poles. Being close-grained and durable, the wood is used for boat building, railway sleepers, veneer and plywood. Having a rich reddish-brown wood, it is excellent for cabinet making. It is also used for light construction, flooring, molding, joinery, wooden pallets, diving boards, cartwheels and axles, musical instruments and blowpipes.

Boiled bark is sometimes used to toughen and dye fishing nets. The seed oil and the latex have occasionally been used for dyeing batik cloth in Java. Mixed with resin of Vateria indica, the oil is used for caulking boats.

The tree is planted for shade and for reforestation and afforestation. It also acts as an efficient shore protector in most places. Remains of the pressed seeds (oil cake) can probably be used as manure.

How to plant your bitaog seedling

Clear the area where you want to plant your seedling with unwanted weeds and debris. Make sure that a one-meter radius is kept free from other vegetation. Dig a plant hole with dimensions of at least 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Plant the seedling at proper depth.

Root collar should be at level with or a little below the ground surface with the seedling oriented upward. Fill the hole with top or garden soil and press soil firmly around the base of the seedling. In plantation-making, seedlings should maintain a two-meter distance between seedlings if planted in a row of a three-meter distance from one strip to the next strip.

How to take care of your bitaog seedling

Remove grass and other unwanted vegetation and cultivate the soil around the base of the seedling (50 cm radius) once in every quarter for two to three years. Place mulch around the base of the seedling (maintaining the 50 cm radius and using cut grass, leaves, and other suitable materials as mulch base). Prune the branches at most 50 percent of the crown depth, preferably during dry season, and ensure that when pruning, you do not injure the bark. Remove infected or infested vegetation nearby to stop plant diseases from spreading and contaminating your seedling. Monitor regularly the growth of the seedling for presence of pests and diseases.

*Data about native tree species are featured by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. For comments and suggestions, email [email protected].